SMC Apex 1.1 Pulley

The SMC Apex 1.1 pulley is a compact pulley from a well-known rescue hardware maker, and tree crews use it for redirects, mechanical advantage systems, and light rigging. It is small enough to carry on the saddle but built for real rope work.

Using a compact pulley on tree jobs

A small, strong pulley is one of the most useful pieces in the rigging bag. Use it as a redirect to change the direction of a pull, as the moving pulley in a 3:1 for tensioning a line, or to take friction out of a tag line that has to run around a stem.

For climbers it can work in a pulley-saver setup or as part of a haul system to lift a saw or a heavier tool. Compare sizes and styles in our rigging pulleys before you choose.

Compared with running rope over a carabiner, a pulley cuts friction and rope wear considerably, which you notice on every pull of a haul system and in the life of your tag lines.

Limits and inspection

Check the markings for the rope diameter range and rated strength, and keep loads well inside them. A compact pulley is not a rigging block for blocking down big wood; shock loads belong on a block built for them.

Before each use, spin the sheave, open and close the side plates, and look for cracks, sharp edges, grooves, or a wobbling axle. Clean off sap and grit. If the pulley ever goes into a life-support system, life-support use must follow ANSI Z133, the manufacturer's instructions, and your training.